Author Topic: DIY Pannier hook ideas?  (Read 28408 times)

GuitarStv

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DIY Pannier hook ideas?
« on: January 04, 2013, 06:50:28 AM »
Anyone have ideas for making sturdy pannier hooks that are easy to clip on/off bike racks?

cambridgecyclist

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Re: DIY Pannier hook ideas?
« Reply #1 on: January 04, 2013, 11:40:19 AM »
Check out the Ortlieb quick-release system. Their website has extensive documentation and also video.

StarswirlTheMustached

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Re: DIY Pannier hook ideas?
« Reply #2 on: January 07, 2013, 03:15:27 PM »
Instructables has a great many DIY pannier ideas, I'd check there if I were you.
I'm still looking for a suitable bag to convert, so I have no experience to share.

zug

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Re: DIY Pannier hook ideas?
« Reply #3 on: January 10, 2013, 12:43:09 PM »
I've been using cat litter bucket panniers for years. They are roomy and 100% waterproof (provided you caulk the holes you drill), and less than $5.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Building-Better-Bucket-Panniers/

Mine are very similar to this instructable, except I used a bungee cord instead of bike tubing for the bottom hook. Fold the bungee cord in half, drill small holes in the outer rim of the top of the bucket for the two bungee hooks. The cord will hang down in a "U" shape. Thread the folded bottom of the bungee cord through an eyelet midway down the bucket. Tie a knot so it can't slip above that point. The knot fits on the bottom of your bike rack. It hasn't fallen off yet.

Crude drawing ahoy.


(note: edited to show top hooks too)
« Last Edit: January 21, 2013, 07:52:05 AM by zug »

zug

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Re: DIY Pannier hook ideas?
« Reply #4 on: January 10, 2013, 12:57:42 PM »
Oh, and whatever bag I'm using that day just goes inside the bucket, safe and sound.

FrugalinTO

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Re: DIY Pannier hook ideas?
« Reply #5 on: April 10, 2013, 08:48:52 AM »
MEC sells replacement pannier mounting hardware that one could use to adapt to DIY panniers. I've always intended to mount a set on a briefcase. I think one would get away with installing Universal Upper Pannier Clips without the J-hook.

http://www.mec.ca/Search/search.jsp?bmForm=mec_quick_search&bmFormID=jTDpCB7&bmUID=jTDpCB8&bmIsForm=true&bmPrevTemplate=%2FSearch%2Fsearch.jsp&bmText=quick_search&quick_search=pannier+replacement&bmImage=search.x&bmImage=search.y&bmImage=search&search.x=0&search.y=0


igthebold

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Re: DIY Pannier hook ideas?
« Reply #6 on: April 10, 2013, 09:01:44 AM »
I've been using a bungee cord attached to my backpack for a while now and I'm pretty happy: http://i.imgur.com/J7pZNYU.jpg

I use one of the compression straps to anchor the backpack to the bike's frame to keep it from wobbling around.

It's not ideal, but the only thing I ended up buying was one of these puppies, which made the attachment a whole lot stronger.

Cord goes through strap at the bottom and hooks onto the bit protruding from my axle where I attach my trailer. The other little bit of webbing is to keep the axle from digging a hole through my backpack.

slugsworth

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Re: DIY Pannier hook ideas?
« Reply #7 on: April 15, 2013, 03:37:16 PM »
Two suggestions:

#1. Jand sells them. . .

http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FWSA-HJH

#2. This may be overkill, but I droppped ordered the kit for the bucket pannier from Portland (even though I don't live in Portland) after not finding a great solution to your question.  The only issue I've had with the bucket pannier, is that it isn't great to carry a ulock in them on bumpy surface as it can smack the top of the pannier and knock the top off. Note that the $10 kit only builds one bucket though!

http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/250784


bluecollarmusician

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Re: DIY Pannier hook ideas?
« Reply #8 on: April 16, 2013, 01:35:24 PM »
The cheapest (rugged solution) I have found is to by metal braces- they in various shapes and sizes, and have screw holes pre-drilled.

something like this- although I the ones that are just flat and straight...
http://cntaijie.en.made-in-china.com/product/AoREbymKhShg/China-Metal-Corner-Brace.html

Then put it in a vice and beat/bend it to the shape you want.  Super cheap and works fine.

cycleguy55

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Re: DIY Pannier hook ideas?
« Reply #9 on: July 10, 2013, 04:38:03 PM »
If you're anywhere near an Ikea store, check out the Blecka hooks - particularly the 1.5"/ 40mm nickel-plated version (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40031373/#/40031373). They come in sets of 4 for USD$4.99. In Canada we get to pay CAD$6.99 per set.

capital

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Re: DIY Pannier hook ideas?
« Reply #10 on: July 13, 2013, 06:51:59 PM »
Most pannier companies sell their hardware as replacement parts:
http://www.ortliebusa.com/ProdList.asp?scat=21

destron

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Re: DIY Pannier hook ideas?
« Reply #11 on: July 13, 2013, 09:11:25 PM »
Make sure you post what you end up doing! I have a set of Ortlieb panniers that are awesome but they were certainly not cheap. Since I use them daily I feel the expense was justified, but it is nice to see options.

StarswirlTheMustached

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Re: DIY Pannier hook ideas?
« Reply #12 on: July 15, 2013, 07:50:55 AM »
I tried making hooks myself from some mild-steel cross supports off an old metal shelf; they were little more than sheet metal, and did not hold their shape very well under heavy load. The metal braces Meoates1 suggests would probably work much better, and I think I'll try that next. I've also got some leather from an old couch to make nicer bags out of this time (my first were fabric tote bags from a conference, only slightly more rugged than reusable grocery bags.)

Mntfloppy

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Re: DIY Pannier hook ideas?
« Reply #13 on: December 18, 2019, 09:06:24 PM »
I came across this thread during my hunt to convert my old beat up non-pannier backpack into one I can attach to my bike for the daily commute grind. I’ve thought about just getting some wall hooks from the hardware store but I also found these guys: http://pannierhooks.com (universal pannier hardware for $15 bucks).

Anyone have much luck with a stand alone pannier hook product from google, eBay, else?
« Last Edit: December 20, 2019, 04:22:29 PM by Mntfloppy »

GuitarStv

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Re: DIY Pannier hook ideas?
« Reply #14 on: December 19, 2019, 06:43:44 AM »
I ended up using the MEC ones, which (after a little fiddling to get them installed securely) worked great.

Mntfloppy

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Re: DIY Pannier hook ideas?
« Reply #15 on: December 20, 2019, 04:20:41 PM »
Thanks for the follow up GuitarStv!

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!